Virginia Union University football will enter the 2026 season ranked No. 14 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Preseason Coaches Poll, released Tuesday, April 18.

The Panthers received 318 points in the preseason poll, which is voted on by Division II head football coaches. Virginia Union finished the 2025 season with a 9-3 record and enters 2026 ranked six spots higher than its No. 21 position in the final 2025 AFCA Division II poll.

"I want to thank the AFCA for recognizing our program with the No. 14 preseason ranking," said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker. "Our ball club is gearing up for what we believe will be an exciting 2026 season. We don't view the ranking as pressure; we see it as recognition of the work our program has put in. Our focus remains on the getting better, preparing the right way, and getting off to a great start this season."

Virginia Union is one of two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, joining Johnson C. Smith, which is ranked No. 23.

The Panthers will open the 2026 season on Friday, August 28, when they travel to Hickory, N.C., to face Lenoir-Rhyne. The matchup will provide an immediate test for Virginia Union, with both teams entering the season ranked among the nation's top Division II programs.

Ferris State, the defending Division II national champion, holds the No. 1 position after receiving all 31 first-place votes. Harding is ranked No. 2, followed by Kutztown at No. 3, Pittsburg State at No. 4 and Minnesota State at No. 5.

Virginia Union's No. 14 ranking represents a significant jump from last year's preseason ranking of No. 19 and continues the Panthers' rise among the nation's elite Division II programs.

The Panthers' 2026 schedule includes eight CIAA contests and a challenging non-conference slate featuring Lenoir-Rhyne. VUU will host its Homecoming game on October 24 against Shaw and will close the regular season at Virginia State on November 7.

The 2026 CIAA Championship Game is scheduled for November 14.